Disney Cruise

We just got off of Mickey's boat today and had a wonderful time. It was chilly but warm compared to back home. We had a great day at Castaway Cay yesterday and the weather was perfect. Lillie Mei loved seeing all of the characters, she just didn't want to get too close. She would give them high-five and blow them kisess but no hugs or kisses. She still is asking for Mickey Mouse. Here a few of our favorite pix.

Merry Christmas!

We have had a wonderful Christmas. This was by far the calmest and most peaceful Christmas I can remember in a long time. We finally slowed down and had more time to reflect on Jesus' birth. We also spent a lot of time as a family just hanging out. The kids were happy this morning with their gifts and of course, there is more to come!! We're definitely counting our blessings this year. Merry Christmas!

One Year Ago Today!

Today marks the first anniversary of Lillie Mei's Gotcha Day! We have chosen to celebrate it more as a family day since it's the day our family became a family of five. We went to the zoo and saw 4 of the 7 families that we traveled to China with last year. It was great to see them and how much their children have grown. Today, becuase it was Wednesday, and my busiest day at church we just had our normal routine. Lillie Mei did get a new Chinese outfit for her Bitty Baby. She refused to wear the matching dress but had fun with her baby.

It's hard to believe how much she has changed in a year! We can't imagine life without her.

Good Report from Chapel Hill

We went back to the doctor today. We were in the car for almost 7 hours and in the doctor's office less than 10 minutes! He was very pleased with her progress. We go back in one month for another check-up. She did great considering our long car ride. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow of her without her bandages. She's asleep now and I didn't think to take one earlier.

We're Home!

We were dischaged around 10:00 a.m. this morning and made a bee-line for home. Lillie Mei did well last night. She slept (somewhat restlessly) from 7:30 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. She only got upset once. I think she was just tired of being in that bed and tired of just juice--she wouldn't eat the jell-o. After the doctor checked her he said she could have pretty much anything to eat. He also said she didn't have to wear the arm restraints if she wasn't picking at the tape on her stiches.

We got her a milkshake on the way home but she almost all of our french fries and the milkshake. She has no problems eating and doesn't seem to be in any pain. She slept 2 1/2 hours of the 3 1/2 hour drive. We were home by 2:00! She was very happy to be home and has been going strong ever since she walked in the door.





Waiting for Daddy to pick us up in the lobby.





Her wonderful big brothers bought her balloons and made her a sign to welcome her home. She loved the balloons a lot!

Surgery Update

Not in a care in the world--in the kids' waiting room.

Playing with Babu, our pastor-Marvin, was so kind to come so far to sit with us while we waited. He actually beat us to the hospital.

TOOOO cute in her hospital gown.


Hanging out in her room. She still has a lot of swelling and is constantly feeling of her mouth with her tongue. I can't imagine how weird it feels.




Everything went very well today. I know we didn't call or text everyone. I hope this helps to post it here. Once she was out of surgery she wouldn't let me out of her sight until about 6:00. Sorry but I had to eat before I could post. So here's the run-down of the day.

She slept up until we had to leave which was a blessing. She never asked for anything to drink or eat--not even once. I am so thankful for that, becuase it would be sooo hard to tell her no. We arrived at 8:00. After we got checked-in and talked to the Dr., nurse, and anesthesiologist, they took her back at 10:00. They didn't let us go with her and she cried and I cried.

They had told us it would last about 2 hours. It took 3 1/2. They did call us twice to tell us it was going fine. The doctor actually had to go to another OR for part of the time and he said there was more cartilage to deal with than he had thought.

I got to go back to recovery at about 2:00. She was very groggy but not fussy. I held her there for about an hour and then held as they wheeled us to her room. She would cry if I moved at all. She fell asleep again around 5:00. Once she woke up at about 6:00 she was more like herself and has been talking and playing in her bed ever since. She has had a lot of apple juice but wouldn't eat the jell-o.

She has to wear arm restraints to keep from touching her face. We can take them off if we're right beside her which we've done a lot. They're kind of like splints that velcro on and off and hook behind her back.

Please keep praying for her. We have a long ride home tomorrow. I'll post sometime again tomorrow.

Thanks for all of your prayers.

Surgery Tomorrow

Surgery is scheduled for 9:30 am tomorrow. We have to be there at 8:00. I hope we sleep tonight. Surgery should last between 2-3 hrs. More later.

Surgery Update

It has been an exhausting day! We had Lillie Mei's pre-op appt. today. She did fine. She screamed when they weighed her, measured her took her temperature, and her pulse. I'm so thankful they didn't have to take any blood.

We will find out tomorrow what time we have the surgery on Monday. It will last about 2 hours and they will remove the skin tags and repair the "divot" in her cheek. They will also repair her cleft lip. She should stay in the hospital only one night. Her stiches will be under the skin and will dissolve on their own. We have another appt. the following Tuesday. She will have tape on her mouth where the cleft is. I asked if she'd be able to remove it and he said her arms would be restrained---start praying about that please. She will NOT like that at all.

Also, they said only one of us can stay in the room all night. We both want to stay so one of us will probably sleep in the waiting room.

Please pray for her. I still dread it but know she will be fine. I feel a little better having talked to the Dr. again today. He's really nice and very reassuring.

I'll post tomorrow when I know the time.

First Day of School

It's only been 2 months since my last post!! I'm going to try to get back in the habit. All of the kids started school last week. I was so looking forward to getting back to our routine but I was so exhausted by the weekend! Everyone, including Lillie Mei, did great and seem to be enjoying school.

Happy Birthday Lillie Mei!

Kirk and I left for Toronto on Lillie Mei's birthday (the 21st) so I'm slower than usual at posting. She had a great 2nd birthday and loved every minute of the attention. She also did great while we left her but is slightly attached to my hip now. I missed all of them and am glad to be home.


Tricycles have come a long way since our day! She loves this an wants to ride it all the time!

One of my favorite pictures!

She loved opening her presents.

Playing at the water table with her cousin Abigail.

What happens when Mommy takes her eyes of me for more than 2 seconds.....

This is old but I thought I'd still post it. Lillie Mei likes to open the shower curtain when I'm taking a shower. One day, I noticed I had an unusual amount of privacy. When I looked out of the curtain this is what I saw...




It was moisturizer that she likes to help me put on when I put on my makeup. She should have very young looking skin for a long time!

Lillie Mei's Dedication

Today was a very special day for several reasons. Of course, it was my first Mother's Day with Lillie Mei at home and she was also dedicated during our church service. She wore an outfit I had made for her while we were in China. Many of our family members and friends were there to watch and to vow to help to raise her to know and love the Lord. On top of all that I was showered with handmade cards and presents from my boys. Kirk planted "50,000" flowers in the backyard for me yesterday and I spent the day shopping with my mom. It was my best ever Mother's Day!




Opening a special gift from Aunt Renee and Uncle Shaun who couldn't be here.


Receiving her Bible from Pastor Marvin


She was a wiggle worm during the actual dedication ceremony!


We can never get a good picture of everybody at once!


On the way to the restaurant she finally decided she'd wear her headband--she put it in herself!

First Haircut

Today Lillie Mei got her first haircut (at least the first we had a part in-we think her head was shaved at some point in China). She is getting dedicated on Sunday and getting her portrait made next week. She didn't like but did fine once I held her. She barely cut enough for me to save but it looks a little more even now.

Six Months Ago Today!

Six months ago today we became a family of five! It seems like we have had Lillie Mei forever and I cannot imagine our family without her. Her "anniversary" present to me today was that she was in a great mood and we had so much fun playing. She loves for us to chase her around the house. She's also started saying a lot more words including blanket, doggie, Zeke, gu gu (for Harrison), bottle, up, Frankie (our dog's name), play, ball, side (for outside), nana (banana), kitty, duck, and I'm sure there's more that I can't remember right now. Her foot is also almost completely healed and she is wearing normal shoes and socks now. We have all changed a lot in the past six months and I can't wait to see how she grows in the next six!




Last summer (approx. July 07)


November 5, 2007


Today-Six Months at Home- May 5, 2008

Update and More Pictures

I took Lillie Mei to the doctor Monday. He referred us to a plastic surgeon, who I didn't care for. He peeled off the dead skin. I thought I was going ot pass out. Lillie Mei didn't really even cry. However, it is now raw and she fusses everytime we have to clean it and change the bandage (2x a day). He said we was surprised it wasn't deeper and he didn't think it would need surgery. We go back next Monday. She is such a trooper! Please pray that it doesn't get infected or need surgery.

Here are a few more pictures from our trip.



Watching the parade in the rain.


Ready for the sunshine!


One of my favorite pictures of my guys.


Where is Mickey?


The bike we rented while Kirk was in a meeting. Only Harrison and I were tall enought to pedal. At one point a stranger came along and actually helped push us up a hill!! :)